Edwards tied for first place in the rankings with 13 other Democrats, including Bobby Rush of Illinois and Pete Stark of California. Baltimore Rep. Elijah E. Cummings was tied for 20th place in the liberal rankings with House Democratic Caucus chairman Xavier Becerra of California.

The rankings, which began in 1981, are based on 116 votes selected by National Journal editors. Edwards split first place with 18 other Democrats last year.

Rep. Andy Harris, the Baltimore County Republican whose district is just up I-95 from Edwards' and is adjacent to Cummings', was ranked the 20th-most conservative member in the House, a rank he shared with Arizona Rep. Ben Quayle.